Children generally look up to their parents as their role models when growing up. Parents hence play an important role in transmitting positive values and habits down to their kids in their daily lives.
When it comes to local parenting styles, action speaks louder than words. As many as a third of Singaporean parents prefer to teach by example, using opportunities to do acts of kindness as occasions for their kids to learn good values. As a matter of fact, a 2019 survey by the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) found that nearly eight in 10 Singaporeans engage in everyday acts of kindness.
Keen to find out how to be an effective role model for your mini-me? Try these positive parenting tips.
1. Live a healthy lifestyle
If you’re sporty or love the great outdoors, show it! By living an active lifestyle, chances are the kids will follow suit. Pick an activity that the entire family can enjoy—it can be as simple as kite-flying or throwing frisbee to challenges that push physical boundaries like running a marathon.
In the same way, our regular diet affects junior’s daily food choices. By consciously picking healthier options, we are indirectly shaping our children’s idea of what good nutrition is.
2. Maintain good habits
Mobile phones and smart devices pervade our modern life. Kids are quick to emulate adults, right down to habits such as technology use. If you are inseparable from your phone and other smart devices, chances are, so are your kids. But if they see mum and dad putting away their devices at mealtimes or during conversations, they are more likely to role model their technology use after yours.
3. Show kindness and consideration to others
Being a good parenting role model is not just about modelling good habits and a healthy lifestyle; the way we treat others in our community also has a powerful impact on the younger members of our family.
Paying someone a sincere compliment, giving up your seat on public transport or simply showing appreciation to the cleaner who keeps your estate clean goes a long way in showing your children the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.
4. Be positive
Positive parenting also means adopting a positive attitude to all that life throws at us. Affected by the economic uncertainty? Let the kids see how you rise to the occasion and tackle the challenges. They will learn that life has its ups and downs, and it is how you ride out the storms that counts.
To learn more about positive parenting and how to be an effective role model for your kids, check out the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) programmes supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).
This article first appeared in Families for Life article segment at\4 Ways to Be a Positive Role Model for Your Kids | Families for Life
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